Ikutaro Kakehashi — the Japanese electronic instrument pioneer and founder of the Roland Corporation — has died. He was 87.
Born in Osaka in 1930, Kakehashi first began creating drum machines under corporate moniker Ace Tone before founding Roland in 1972.
During his over four-decade tenure with Roland, Kakehashi oversaw the development of iconic drum machines and hardware including the TR-808 and TR-909. The 808 would become instrumental in shifting the sonic landscape of pop, hip-hop and dance music as we know it.
Kakehashi won a Technical Grammy Award for his work in developing MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology in 2013. His most recent book, An Age Without Samples: Originality and Creativity in the Digital World, saw release this past January. He had also authored a memoir in 2002.
Find tributes to Kakehashi from across the music world below.
Born in Osaka in 1930, Kakehashi first began creating drum machines under corporate moniker Ace Tone before founding Roland in 1972.
During his over four-decade tenure with Roland, Kakehashi oversaw the development of iconic drum machines and hardware including the TR-808 and TR-909. The 808 would become instrumental in shifting the sonic landscape of pop, hip-hop and dance music as we know it.
Kakehashi won a Technical Grammy Award for his work in developing MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology in 2013. His most recent book, An Age Without Samples: Originality and Creativity in the Digital World, saw release this past January. He had also authored a memoir in 2002.
Find tributes to Kakehashi from across the music world below.
RIP Legend Ikutaro Kakehashi. Founder, Roland. on his watch:
— Ghostly (@ghostly) April 1, 2017
The System 700, The TB-303, The TR-808 and TR-909, Jupiter-8 & D-50, more. pic.twitter.com/NLSkDbpHzm
Farewell Ikutaro Kakehashi... your spirit will live on in every track recorded with the iconic sounds of @Roland_US 303, 808 and 909
— PAUL VAN DYK (@PAULVANDYK) April 3, 2017
Rest in Peace Ikutaro Kakehashi: Roland founder and music pioneer. @Roland_US
— Herman Li (@HermanLi_) April 3, 2017
R.I.P. Ikutaro Kakehashi thank u for the beautiful 808 and ur many other innovations in music! 🙏🏾 -Keyboard
— KEYBOARD KID (@KeyboardKid206) April 3, 2017
Imagine there'd never bn a 808 909 101 303 etc. Wud all b stuck listening to guitars. (How many can I offend) RIP Roland's Ikutaro Kakehashi
— Hudson Mohawke (@HudMo) April 1, 2017
Also founder of Ace Tone. Thanks for all the good ideas, Kakehashi-san. https://t.co/u1zywBVqfK
— Yo La Tengo (@TheRealYLT) April 1, 2017
Roland. 🌌
— Tiga (@Tiga) April 2, 2017
